Ben was born in London, became interested in The Beatles and absorbed the popular music of the late 70s before moving to Suffolk. He was the singer and songwriter in a few bands and recorded an album, Defence Cuts, in 1990 with a bass-playing arranger and producer he met In the Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra. Although this was a low-fi, low budget affair copied manually by Ben onto cassette, it gained him respect and a reputation as a quirky songwriter in the folk community.
Ben travelled to New Jersey in 1992 to study jazz singing and his performances of his folk and jazz-influenced originals at open stages and coffeehouses gained him a few write-ups and airplay in student media. Moving on to Toronto, he became a busker as well as a popular solo act, the second, more rock-oriented album, Warm and Normal, receiving a favourable review and more college radio airing. Ben returned to London for a year and gained a first class degree in Performance Arts from Middlesex University in 1994.
After getting married in Toronto in 1995, Ben spent 3 years back in Suffolk, trying his hand at many musical activities. In addition to busking on the streets of East Anglia, he was also a piano vocalist, jazz singer and classical mandolin player, as well as the front man for the rock trio Daylight Dog. In 1998, Ben headed north to Bradford and made contact with producer Nigel Stonier, who played on the Bahaudin CD (2001), along with Rod Clements of Lindisfarne, Paul Burgess of 10cc and acclaimed singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore.
A steady period of gigging in the Bradford/Leeds area, as well as selected shows in Ben's old stomping grounds of London, Suffolk, New Jersey and Toronto during 2002-6 was punctuated by a new EP. If You Want Love (Have Mine) in 2004, which was engineered by the late drummer and songwriter in New Model Army, Rob Heaton.
2008 saw the launch of An Orphan's Song in Toronto, a CD of Canadian writer Stuart Ross's poems put to music and performed by Ben. This project was well-received by the Canadian literary media and brought Ben's skills to the attention of many new listeners.
Back in the UK, Ben booked sessions in London, Leeds and Suffolk to record the album Kill or Cure. Derek Nash from Jools Holland's band engineered 4 tracks and played sax on Love in London, guitar wizard Al Lindsay dropped into the studio in Suffolk to play some blistering blues/rock guitar and 2 members of the faculty at Leeds College of Music, Rus Pearson and Barkley McKay, contributed on the northern date.
An angsty, acoustic pop duet between Ben and the peerless Kate Peters, Hold On To Your Hard Times, has been released as a single in 2009. In conjunction with this, Ben recently conducted 2 lengthy interviews on BCB Radio, the second as part of One-to-One, a Desert Island Discs-type show where local movers and shakers discuss their careers.
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The increasingly mis-named Unpopular Music night returns tonight with three Norwegian wailers including long-lost Leeds adoptee Ulrik Thorsrud...
...no large rare mammals have been/are being/will be harmed for this event, but if you stick around for a drink afterwards get your own insurance. I'll have a gun.
The increasingly mis-named Unpopular Music night returns in May with three Norwegian wailers including long-lost Leeds adoptee Ulrik Thorsrud...
...no large rare mammals have been/are being/will be harmed for this event, but if you stick around for a drink afterwards get your own insurance. I'll have a gun.
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Happy Belated 40th, sorry your car got nicked, glad you have a new one. Great to hear that the launch went well. Why are you depressed then? Re going out or staying in, I'm utterly crap don't ask me lol - yes have seen Sweeny Todd, great bloody film! My message button is hidden but if you hover over where it should be you will see it in the browser at the bottom of your page or you can send a message via the status thingy I think on the list page? Anyway Ben, take good care. x.
Ben - I love the new record. Great sound, great tunes. I've been meaning to write about it on my web site, but you know, I never really update it anymore. I will soon. Keep doing the good thing you do. And come visit some time.
Hi Ben! Just got your new album- its playing right now as I write this. I'm absolutely loving it!!! You should be seriously proud of it. The songs are fab, heartfelt, really musical, and the production is just great (its warm, feels live and organic yet hugely polished). I'm very proud to have played on it- please count me in on the next one!! Best regards Al.
Do I go around saying you've inspired me? Well do I? ...I've never heard anything so slanderous. Thank you. 'Motivated' might have been more accurate, in which case I would have reciprocated without a first thought.
